On-vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle display device capable of effectively performing defogging in a region of a windshield that receives display light.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle display device 100 comprises: a display unit A that is positioned inside a dashboard 2 of a vehicle 1 and emits display light L representing an image; a tubular body 20 that allows the display light L emitted from the display unit A toward a windshield 3 to pass therethrough; a suction device 70 that sucks air containing dust inside the tubular body 20; and a static eliminator 60 that removes static electricity from defroster air D blown by a defroster 50. The tubular body 20 includes an air supply port 21a that introduces the defroster air D into the tubular body 20, and a suction port 22a that allows the air inside the tubular body 20 to be drawn into the suction device 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle display device. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of an in-vehicle display device, Patent Document 1 describes a device that is installed in the dashboard of a vehicle and emits display light that represents an image toward the vehicle's windshield, allowing a user such as a driver to view the image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-62085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This type of in-vehicle display device requires a ventilation port on the dashboard to send air from the defroster to the windshield, away from the opening through which the display light is emitted. However, this structure may not be able to adequately defog the area of ​​the windshield that receives the display light.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and aims to provide an in-vehicle display device that can effectively defog the area of ​​the windshield that receives display light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the in-vehicle display device according to the present disclosure comprises: a display unit located in a dashboard of the vehicle and emitting a display light representing an image; a cylindrical body that transmits the display light emitted from the display unit and directed toward the windshield of the vehicle; a suction device that sucks in dust-containing air from inside the cylindrical body; a static eliminator that neutralizes defroster wind, which is wind generated by the defroster; The cylindrical body has an air outlet for sending the defroster air into the cylindrical body, and a suction port for passing the air inside the cylindrical body to the suction device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to effectively defog the area of ​​the windshield that receives the display light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an in-vehicle display device according to the present disclosure mounted on a vehicle; [Figure 2] 2 is a view of the static eliminator according to the embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram for explaining a guide portion provided in the in-vehicle display device according to the first modification. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating a guide portion provided in an in-vehicle display device according to a second modification. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle display device 100 of this embodiment is provided on the dashboard 2 (including the instrument panel) of the vehicle 1, and emits light (hereinafter, display light L) that displays an image toward a ceramic forming portion 3a provided in the lower end region of the windshield 3 of the vehicle 1.

[0011] The ceramic-formed portion 3a is a portion of the windshield 3 where black ceramic is formed by baking coating, and is commonly called a black ceramic portion. A reflective mirror surface that reflects the display light L toward the user 4 is formed on the inner surface of the ceramic-formed portion 3a of the windshield 3. The user 4 is, for example, the driver of the vehicle 1.

[0012] The ceramic forming portion 3a may be provided on the inner surface (the surface facing the user 4) of the windshield 3, or on the outer surface of the windshield 3. Furthermore, when the windshield 3 is made of a laminated glass of multiple sheets of glass, the ceramic forming portion 3a may be provided inside the windshield 3.

[0013] The display light L reflected by the ceramic forming portion 3a travels toward the user 4. By placing the user 4's viewpoint within the eye box 5, the user 4 can visually recognize a virtual image of the image represented by the display light L. To the user 4, the image appears to be displayed on the ceramic forming portion 3a. The image shows, for example, various pieces of information about the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as vehicle information). The vehicle information may include not only information about the vehicle 1 itself, but also external information about the vehicle 1, such as information about the surroundings of the vehicle 1.

[0014] The in-vehicle display device 100 includes a display unit A having a display 10 and a cover glass 30, a cylindrical body 20, a control unit 40, a static eliminator 60, and a suction device .

[0015] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an in-vehicle display device 100 is mounted on a vehicle 1. In the figure, directions of the vehicle 1 are shown as forward Fd, backward Bd, upward Ud, and downward Dd. Unless otherwise specified, the directions of forward, backward, upward, and downward used in the following description follow the directions shown in the figure.

[0016] The display 10 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The display 10 is capable of displaying an image showing vehicle information in an image display area 10a. In other words, the image display area 10a is a pixel formation area in the display 10, and is an area where an image can be displayed. Display light L representing the image is emitted from the image display area 10a toward the windshield 3 (specifically, the ceramic formation portion 3a).

[0017] The display light L emitted from the display device 10 passes through the cover glass 30, passes through the cylindrical body 20, and reaches the windshield 3. In other words, the display unit A having the display device 10 and the cover glass 30 is located inside the dashboard of the vehicle 1 and emits the display light L. The cover glass 30 will be described later.

[0018] The cylindrical body 20 is formed, for example, by a part of the dashboard 2, and passes the display light L emitted from the display unit A and directed toward the windshield 3. In other words, the cylindrical body 20 is located between the display unit A and the windshield 3. The cylindrical body 20 may also be a component that is combined with the dashboard 2. The display unit A is located below the lower end of the cylindrical body 20, and emits the display light L into the interior of the cylindrical body 20. The upper end of the cylindrical body 20 forms an opening 20a, which is a portion through which the display light L is emitted from the dashboard 2.

[0019] The cylindrical body 20 of this embodiment is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape with its outer and inner circumferences being roughly rectangular. The cylindrical body 20 has a first inner surface 21 that connects to the top surface 2a of the dashboard 2 of the vehicle 1, and a second inner surface 22 that is located on the opposite side of the cylindrical body 20 from the first inner surface 21. The second inner surface 22 is located near the lower end of the windshield 3.

[0020] An air outlet 21a is formed on the first inner surface 21 of the cylindrical body 20 to send defroster wind D, which is wind from a defroster 50 mounted on the vehicle 1, into the cylindrical body 20. For example, the air outlet 21a opens toward the front of the vehicle 1.

[0021] A duct 51 is provided between the defroster 50 and the air outlet 21a, and the defroster airflow D from the defroster 50 passes through the duct 51 and is sent from the air outlet 21a into the cylindrical body 20. The defroster airflow D then passes from the air outlet 21a through the cylindrical body 20 to reach the windshield 3. In other words, the cylindrical body 20 is used not only as an optical path for the display light L but also as a flow path for the defroster airflow D. According to the in-vehicle display device 100, the cylindrical body 20 having such a simple configuration can be used to effectively defog the area of ​​the windshield 3 that receives the display light L.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower end of the air outlet 21a is located rearward of the upper end of the air outlet 21a. This positional relationship can prevent an image of the air outlet 21a from being reflected on the windshield 3 and being visible to the user 4 (image reflection of the air outlet 21a). The shape and position of the air outlet 21a are arbitrary as long as they can prevent the occurrence of image reflection of the air outlet 21a when the user 4 focuses their gaze on the eyebox 5. For example, the first inner surface 21 may be inclined so that the upper end of the first inner surface 21 is located forward of the upper end of the air outlet 21a, thereby preventing the image reflection of the air outlet 21a. However, even in this case, it is preferable that the lower end of the air outlet 21a be located rearward of the upper end of the air outlet 21a.

[0023] A suction port 22a is formed on the second inner surface 22 of the cylindrical body 20, through which air (including dust) inside the cylindrical body 20 passes to the suction device 70. That is, the cylindrical body 20 has the air outlet 21a and the suction port 22a. In this embodiment, the air outlet 21a and the suction port 22a are located on opposite sides of the cylindrical body 20.

[0024] The cylindrical body 20 is made of a light-absorbing material such as black, or is surface-treated to reduce reflection, thereby preventing stray light, such as sunlight that is reflected after entering the cylindrical body 20 and display light L that is reflected at locations other than the ceramic-formed portion 3a, from reaching the eye box 5.

[0025] The cover glass 30 is made of organic glass or inorganic glass and is provided to cover the display 10. For example, the cover glass 30 is fixed to the display 10 by a transparent adhesive, covering the image display area 10a. The cover glass 30 covers an area of ​​the display 10 that is larger than the image display area 10a. The cover glass 30 may be supported by a support (not shown) and provided at a distance from the display 10.

[0026] The cover glass 30 has an inclined surface 31 that receives the defroster wind D sent into the cylindrical body 20 from the air outlet 21a, and the inclined surface 31 guides the defroster wind D toward the windshield 3 and the suction port 22a. This allows the defroster wind D to be efficiently directed toward the windshield 3 via the cylindrical body 20, and also prevents dust from accumulating on the surface of the cover glass 30.

[0027] The inclined surface 31 has a first end E1 located on the side of the air outlet 21a and a second end E2 located closer to the front of the vehicle 1 than the first end E1, and is inclined so that the second end E2 is located higher than the first end E1. In order to prevent the defroster wind D sent from the air outlet 21a from stagnating inside the cylindrical body 20, the inclined surface 31 is preferably a concavely curved inclined surface as shown in the figure. This allows the defroster wind D approaching the cylindrical body 20 from the display unit A to be smoothly sent out through the opening 20a without stagnating, thereby suppressing a decrease in the wind pressure of the defroster wind D and efficiently clearing the windshield 3 of fogging.

[0028] Furthermore, in order to prevent degradation of quality due to external light such as sunlight and scratches due to falling objects, the inclined surface 31 of the cover glass 30 may be subjected to surface treatment such as AR (Anti-Reflection), AG (Anti-Glare), or AF (Anti-Fingerprint). Furthermore, when sunlight is irradiated onto the inclined surface 31 of the cover glass 30, (i) a light collection point by the inclined surface 31 may be intentionally set so that the sunlight is not reflected and reaches the eye box 5 directly or via the windshield 3, or (ii) the shape of the inclined surface 31 may be set so that the sunlight is reflected to an area other than the eye box 5. Note that the inclined surface 31 may be an inclined surface that includes a flat surface.

[0029] The cylindrical body 20 is provided with an edge cover portion 20b that covers the second end E2 of the cover glass 30. This edge cover portion 20b can prevent an image of the second end E2 from being reflected on the windshield 3 and being visible to the user 4 (image reflection of the second end E2). Note that the edge cover portion 20b may be formed integrally with the cylindrical body 20 as shown in the figure, or may be a separate body from the cylindrical body 20. Also, as shown in the figure, the upper end of the air outlet 21a is positioned so as to protrude further forward than the first end E1 of the cover glass 30. This structure can also prevent an image of the first end E1 from being reflected on the windshield 3 and being visible to the user 4 (image reflection of the first end E1).

[0030] The control unit 40 is made up of a microcomputer that controls the display operation of the display device 10, and is mounted on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) disposed in the dashboard 2, for example.

[0031] The static eliminator 60 neutralizes the defroster airflow D sent from the air outlet 21a into the cylindrical body 20. The static eliminator 60 is provided on the air outlet 21a side of the display unit A. For example, the static eliminator 60 is provided on the side of the display unit A that is on the air outlet 21a side.

[0032] The static eliminator 60 is a corona discharge type that irradiates a discharge needle with ions generated by causing a corona discharge, and includes an electrode 61 for static elimination as a discharge needle, and a main body 62 that applies a voltage to the electrode 61. The electrode 61 is provided at a position where it is hit by the defroster airflow D sent into the cylindrical body 20 from the air outlet 21a, and as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of electrodes 61 are provided in a comb-like shape protruding from the main body 62. Note that Fig. 2 is a view of the static eliminator 60 as seen from the arrow B in Fig. 1.

[0033] The location of the static eliminator 60 can be changed as desired. For example, the static eliminator 60 may be provided on the first inner surface 21, mounted on the defroster 50, or provided inside the duct 51. The static eliminator 60 is not limited to a corona discharge type, but may be a soft X-ray type that irradiates weak X-rays, a radiation type that irradiates alpha rays or beta rays, or an ultraviolet type that irradiates ultraviolet rays. The location, configuration, and type of the static eliminator 60 are arbitrary as long as it can eliminate static electricity from the defroster airflow D. The static elimination by the static eliminator 60 is not limited to complete removal of static electricity, as long as it can reduce static electricity.

[0034] The suction device 70 has a known suction mechanism and a replaceable filter 71, and sucks in the air containing dust inside the cylindrical body 20. The suction device 70 is installed in the flow path of the defroster airflow D, and can suck up dust that has been blown up with the air. The suction device 70 can entangle the sucked dust in the filter 71.

[0035] The defroster 50 is realized as one function of an HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning) module mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0036] The operations of the defroster 50, the static eliminator 60, and the suction device 70 may be controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 1, or by the control unit 40.

[0037] According to the in-vehicle display device 100 described above, (i) the de-ionizer 60 can neutralize the defroster wind D, making it easier to remove dust from the surface of the display unit A, (ii) the de-ionizer wind D can blow away the dust, preventing a decrease in display quality, and (iii) the suction device 70 can suck up the dust stirred up by the defroster wind D, preventing the stirred-up dust from adhering to the display unit A again.

[0038] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings, and modifications (including the omission of components) can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] The cover glass 30 may be flat without the inclined surface 31. In this case, the configurations of the following modified examples 1 and 2 may be adopted.

[0040] (Variations 1 and 2) As shown in FIG. 3 , the in-vehicle display device 100 may include a guide unit 80 according to Modification 1. The guide unit 80 has an inclined surface 81 that receives the defroster wind D sent from the air outlet 21 a into the cylindrical body 20, and guides the defroster wind D toward the windshield 3 and the suction port 22 a via the inclined surface 81. The inclined surface 81 may be inclined so that its front end is positioned higher than its rear end, and may be a concave curved surface or a flat surface. The guide unit 80 (i) is provided at a position generally opposite the air outlet 21 a in the front-rear direction, and (ii) is provided at a position that avoids the image display area 10 a of the display device 10 to prevent an image of the guide unit 80 from being reflected on the windshield 3 and being viewed by the user 4. Furthermore, as shown in Modification 2 in FIG. 4 , the guide unit 80 may be formed integrally with the cylindrical body 20.

[0041] (Other variations) The above has shown an example in which the air outlet 21a and the suction port 22a are located on opposite sides of the cylindrical body 20, but the placement of the suction port 22a and the suction device 70 is arbitrary as long as the suction device 70 can suck in the air containing dust inside the cylindrical body 20.

[0042] The in-vehicle display device 100 may be a head-up display device that emits display light L toward a transparent region of the windshield 3 and displays a virtual image of an image represented by the display light L by the display light L reflected by the windshield 3. In this case, the display light L emitted from the display device 10 located inside the dashboard 2 may be configured to (i) directly reach the windshield 3, or (ii) be reflected by one or more mirrors and then reach the windshield 3. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle display device 100 is configured as a head-up display device, the cylindrical body 20 only needs to surround a part of the optical path of the display light L from the display device 10 to the windshield 3. The display device 10 does not need to be located below the cylindrical body 20.

[0043] The above-described in-vehicle display device 100 includes the following additional configurations: Note that the guide section described in (Additional Note 5) corresponds to the guide section 80 described in Modification 1 or 2.

[0044] (Addendum) (Appendix 1) a display unit located in a dashboard of the vehicle and emitting a display light representing an image; a cylindrical body that transmits the display light emitted from the display unit and directed toward the windshield of the vehicle; a suction device that sucks in dust-containing air from inside the cylindrical body; a static eliminator that neutralizes defroster wind, which is wind generated by the defroster; The cylindrical body has an air outlet that sends the defroster wind into the cylindrical body, and a suction port that passes the air in the cylindrical body to the suction device. In-vehicle display device.

[0045] (Appendix 2) The static eliminator is provided on the side of the air outlet of the display unit. 10. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1.

[0046] (Appendix 3) The static eliminator has a static eliminator electrode provided at a position where the defroster air blown into the cylindrical body from the air outlet hits the electrode. 3. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0047] (Appendix 4) the display unit includes a display that emits the display light and a cover glass that covers the display; The cover glass has an inclined surface that receives the defroster wind sent from the air outlet into the cylindrical body, and the inclined surface guides the defroster wind toward the windshield and the suction port. 4. The in-vehicle display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3.

[0048] (Appendix 5) a guide portion having an inclined surface that receives the defroster wind sent from the air outlet into the cylindrical body, and that guides the defroster wind toward the windshield and the suction port by the inclined surface; 4. The in-vehicle display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3.

[0049] In the above description, in order to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, descriptions of well-known technical matters have been omitted as appropriate.

[0050] This invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain this invention and do not limit the scope of this invention. That is, the scope of this invention is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 100…In-vehicle display device 1...Vehicle 2...Dashboard, 2a...Top 3...windshield, 3a...ceramic forming portion 4...User, 5...Eyebox A...Display unit 10...Display unit, 10a...Image display area, L...Display light 30...Cover glass 31...Slanted surface, E1...First end, E2...Second end 20... cylindrical body, 20a... opening, 20b... edge cover portion 21...first inner surface, 21a...ventilation port 22... second inner surface, 22a... suction port 40...Control unit 50...Defroster, 51...Duct, D...Defroster wind 60...Static eliminator, 61...Electrode, 62...Main body 70...Suction device, 71...Filter 80... guide portion, 81... inclined surface

Claims

1. a display unit located in a dashboard of the vehicle and emitting a display light representing an image; a cylindrical body that transmits the display light emitted from the display unit and directed toward the windshield of the vehicle; a suction device that sucks in dust-containing air from inside the cylindrical body; a static eliminator that neutralizes defroster wind, which is wind generated by the defroster; The cylindrical body has an air outlet that sends the defroster wind into the cylindrical body, and a suction port that passes the air in the cylindrical body to the suction device. In-vehicle display device.

2. The static eliminator is provided on the side of the air outlet of the display unit. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1 .

3. The static eliminator has a static eliminator electrode provided at a position where the defroster air blown into the cylindrical body from the air outlet hits the electrode. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the display unit includes a display that emits the display light and a cover glass that covers the display; The cover glass has an inclined surface that receives the defroster wind sent from the air outlet into the cylindrical body, and the inclined surface guides the defroster wind toward the windshield and the suction port. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a guide portion having an inclined surface that receives the defroster wind sent from the air outlet into the cylindrical body, and that guides the defroster wind toward the windshield and the suction port by the inclined surface; The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1 or 2.

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